Train drivers’ eye-watering salaries
Train drivers’ eye-watering salaries have been revealed by a Daily Telegraph report, which says Queensland’s top-paid train driver took home nearly $76,000 in overtime last financial year, equating to a full-time Australian salary.
As the Sunshine State’s government scrambles to fill 200 vacant positions, reports have revealed the median base salary for a full-time train driver was $95,351.32, with total pay rising to $130,022.05 including overtime and allowances.
Citytrain drivers were clocking an average of 6.45 hours of overtime per week, according to figures released by the state’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey.
“Queensland Rail is working hard to recruit additional train crew and has already reduced the level of overtime for train crew,” he said. “In addition, Queensland Rail has opened train crew recruitment to external applicants, which is critical to boosting train crew numbers and increasing Queensland Rail’s services.”
Queensland Rail are keen to avoid a repeat of the 2016 drama where a driver shortage resulted in network-wide delays and the cancellation of 167 services over several days.
“Queensland Rail is working hard to recruit additional train crew and has already reduced the level of overtime for train crew,” he said.
“In addition, Queensland Rail has opened train crew recruitment to external applicants, which is critical to boosting train crew numbers and increasing Queensland Rail’s services.”
Mr Bailey said more drivers would commence this year than under the entire previous LNP government.
“Train drivers and guards are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of up to 1000 customers at any one time,” he said.
“They are required to work weekends, public holidays and shift work and are remunerated accordingly for this time away from family, when most people are at home or enjoying time off.
“There is an expectation that they are resilient and adaptive, with the ability to problem solve during unplanned disruptions, critical incidents and emergency situations, however it is not mandatory to work overtime.
But Opposition MP Steve Minnikin told the ABC these figures are unacceptable.
“Whilst commuters are cramming into packed trains or being left stranded on the platform, Queensland Rail drivers are counting their cash,” he said.
“Some drivers are earning more than $65,000 a year in overtime alone with their total remuneration almost reaching $200,000 a year. Labor’s train driver shortage means more overtime for union drivers, paid for by taxpayers.”
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